My daughter was putting a frozen pizza in the oven. Not a name-brand, deep-dish, ultimate, wood-fired, rising crust pizza. Just a generic, store brand frozen pizza, sprinkled with her own additional ingredients of cheese and pepperoni.
She called to tell me it reminded her of her grandparents.
Unexpectedly, I felt my eyes well up with tears.
My parents never―in their nearly sixty years of marriage―ordered take-out pizza. But while my dad was still alive, on many Saturday evenings my mom dressed up a store-brand frozen pizza with her own toppings and seasonings and popped it in the oven. Then she’d toss a green salad, set up the TV trays, and she and my dad would enjoy a casual meal in front of the TV.
My parents could well have afforded a take-out pizza, but they didn’t see the point in ordering one when, in their estimation, a frozen pizza worked just as well.
I’m not sure why the memory brought tears to my eyes, but maybe it’s because there’s something endearing about settling for simpler things.
WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT CONTENTMENT AND WHAT WE REALLY BELIEVE
In a world addicted to living beyond our means, it’s tempting to think we need to impress with the best. But what if an even bigger impression is made when we choose the simpler, unimpressive things?
Although the world applauds those with the shiniest and newest, it’s also impressed by the few who are content with less. The person who makes choices based on their own values and priorities rather than on what everyone else has. Or the one who views material things with a longlasting―heavenly― perspective.
When we’re content with less, we make a lasting impression as someone who doesn’t need an abundance of things to live an abundant life. As Christians, our greatest influence may be as a person who can say “God’s presence is good. No matter what, He’s enough” Psalm 73:28, ESV
In a world of over-abundance and comparisons, it’s critical that we push pause long enough to ask, “What does the Bible say about contentment?” And then ponder for ourselves whether we believe it.
If you want to know what the Bible says about contentment or just need some encouragement to choose the simple over the frivolous, consider the following verses (and then sign up for my free resource library, where I’ll share my own special pizza dough recipe!)
BIBLE VERSES ABOUT CONTENTMENT
I don’t say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know both how to have a little, and I know how to have a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content—whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. Philippians 4:11-12
Do you want to be truly rich? You already are if you are happy and good. After all, we didn’t bring any money with us when we came into the world, and we can’t carry away a single penny when we die. So we should be well satisfied without money if we have enough food and clothing. But people who long to be rich soon begin to do all kinds of wrong things to get money, things that hurt them and make them evil-minded and finally send them to hell itself. For the love of money is the first step toward all kinds of sin. Some people have even turned away from God because of their love for it, and as a result have pierced themselves with many sorrows. 1 Timothy 6:6-10, TLB
Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry, but those of us who reverence the Lord will never lack any good thing. Psalm 34:10, TLB
O God, I beg two favors from you before I die: First, help me never to tell a lie. Second, give me neither poverty nor riches! Give me just enough to satisfy my needs! For if I grow rich, I may become content without God. And if I am too poor, I may steal and thus insult God’s holy name. Proverbs 30:7-9, TLB
“Don’t collect for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. But collect for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves don’t break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Matthew 6:19-21
Matthew 6:19-21
Your life should be free from the love of money. Be satisfied with what you have, for He Himself has said, I will never leave you or forsake you.
Hebrews 13:5
Hebrews 13:5
Do not love the world or the things that belong to the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in him. For everything that belongs to the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride in one’s lifestyle—is not from the Father, but is from the world. And the world with its lust is passing away, but the one who does God’s will remains forever.
1 John 2:15-17
1 John 2:15-17
He then told them, “Watch out and be on guard against all greed because one’s life is not in the abundance of his possessions.”
Luke 12:15
Luke 12:15
You will keep the mind that is dependent on You in perfect peace, for it is trusting in You.
Isaiah 26:3
Isaiah 26:3
“This is why I tell you: Don’t worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Isn’t life more than food and the body more than clothing?
Matthew 6:25
Matthew 6:25
Cindy, my girls and I were talking about this very topic last night!! I can’t wait for them to read this blog post. Thank you for sharing your heart and for being a true example to me of what it means to be content. You live this out so well.
Love you! Kim
Kim, I love this! And oh, how wise you are to teach your girls about being content at this stage in their lives. What a treasure they have in you for a mom 🙂